LIMA — James MacLean Carpenter, Jr. formerly of Lima, OH, James M. Carpenter, Jr. (July 11, 1945 - August 10, 2018) began his dance on streets of gold after a year long battle with Lymphoma.

There will be a Graveside Memorial Celebration Service to celebrate his life on Friday, September 7, at 11:30am at Cairo East Side Cemetery at 6523 Stewart Rd, Lima, OH 45807 (located East of Cairo, OH at intersection of Stewart Rd and W Main St/East Lincoln Hwy). Visitation with the family will immediately follow the celebration.

Known as "Dad" to his 2 children, "Grandpa" to his 5 grand kids, "Moses" (& "Chaplain") to his many friends at the Moose, American Legion, VFW, and Elks Clubs, "Chaplain" to the Colony Cove Canadian Coffee Club, and self titled "The Ugly Old Man" to those close to him who put up with his many shenanigans, trivia, stories, and many nicknames for his family and friends, Jim always put a smile on your face and was a friend to anyone who had the time to have a conversation.

Jim was born and raised in Lima, Ohio by his parents, Jim Sr and Miriam Carpenter who preceded him in death. He was an entrepreneur and business owner who got his start in real estate with the Jim Carpenter Realty Company. He eventually oversaw his family business, The Telephone Answering Service of Lima, Ohio, that his grandmother, Grace Holmes started in her home in Lima. In the fall of 1995, Jim and Deloris moved and retired to Ellenton, FL where they enjoyed 20+ years at the Colony Cove Community in Ellenton, FL.

Jim loved supporting his children in any activity they were involved.

He was a man of faith and a long distance member of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Mansfield, Ohio. He loved sports and was a life long "Meechigan" GO BLUE Wolverines, Detroit Tigers/Lions/Red Wings, Cincinnati Bengals, and Chicago Cubbies fan, a recent Georgia Tech baseball fan where his grandson plays, and even took on following the Tampa Bay Bucs and FSU Seminoles during his time in Florida. Jim had a photographic memory and would remember people by their phone number, license plate, and birthday, and seemed to know of or about every sports broadcaster, radio announcer, or local news and weather team wherever he resided.

Jim is survived by his beautiful and loving wife of 53 years, Deloris Eileen ("Wife") Carpenter formerly of Spencerville/Lima, OH and currently of Ellenton/Sarasota, FL area; son, Jim "Jimmy" (and Lisa) Carpenter, III of Athens, GA; his daughter, Miriam Louise "Louie" Carpenter of Bradenton, FL; along with his 5 grandchildren who he adored and affectionally nicknamed, Shalin "Lettie Crow" Carpenter, MacLean "Jimmy 4" Carpenter IV, Matthias "Mteedleburger" Carpenter Dillard, Micah "Jim-Only" Carpenter, and Mackenzie "Petunia" Carpenter.

Special Thanks to Life Care Center of Sarasota, and the many doctors, nurses, CNAs, therapists, and home care specialists who have put up with haha, cared for, and been there for dad through the years and all of his family and friends who have walked this life and journey with him - BIG BLESSING!! Celebration service arrangements are being handled by Thomas E Bayliff Funeral Home of Spencerville, OH. Condolences can be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com.